Nobody looks forward to retirement least of all people who enjoy what they do, even if the road you've traveled has labeled you a desperado. This is one of Sam Peckinpah's greatest films, from the camera shots to the outstanding acting the audience is presented with a slice of life from the closing days of the wild west. With a cast of characters lead by William Holden the long ride into the sun set isn't and easy or happy one, from being chased by U.S. authorities and getting mixed up with an evil Mexican general, these outlaws don't seem to want to go quietly into that good night.
A gang of men have come to the end of their run as bandits and start to talk about retiring to south of the border, but making a clean break is going to be tough to do and its going to take a lot of money. With the on location shooting the feel for the vastness of the old west and the on coming of the tamed west is completely evident from beginning to end. One of the best scenes to show the passing of time is when an automobile is driven into a small Mexican village and the desperados talk about how they had never seen one and that they even have a version that fly's in the air.
Having the entire story told from the view point of the gang, you're able to see that these men were just trying to live day to day by what ever means necessary. With all of the authentic costumes and sets and a strong story to match, this is a western not to be missed. Not only are the actors at the top of their game, but you can't help but feel for these men as their way of life is slowly bleeding out in front of their very eyes.
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